Peter Beckett Posted 21 August , 2004 Share Posted 21 August , 2004 Have booked in to an "Evening with Roland Perry" on Wed 1st Sep at the Frankston Arts Centre in Frankston, Victoria, Aus. This is a meeting with the author and according to the blurb is the first really comprehensive biography of Monash and promises to be a fascinating evening. I must say I am looking forward to it as it is not often that anything about WW1 ever gets down my way so will post a report next week. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 21 August , 2004 Share Posted 21 August , 2004 Peter Lucky you! It should be most interesting. I can't say that I was overly impressed with the book, though. While the Monash story is most inspiring, I found that the book was disappointing on two grounds: the maps are remarkably unenlightening, not having any information other than the final lines reached by troops on particular days; and there are far too many sloppy errors, such as 'IX Army' where IX Corps is meant, General Byng's first name is given as 'Julius' rather than Julian', the Tank Corps General Elles is called 'Ellis', there are mentions of the RFC after April 1918, etc. I suppose that the above is the publisher's, rather than the author's, fault, but I found it all quite annoying. Cheers Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Beckett Posted 21 August , 2004 Author Share Posted 21 August , 2004 Gareth, I wonder if I should push my luck and ask about the faults you found They can't throw me out as I have paid the $10 entrance fee already Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 21 August , 2004 Share Posted 21 August , 2004 Peter Give it a go - demand a refund! Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 21 August , 2004 Share Posted 21 August , 2004 I must say I am looking forward to it as it is not often that anything about WW1 ever gets down my way so will post a report next week. Looking forward to hearing from you on this Peter Best regards MIchael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted 23 August , 2004 Share Posted 23 August , 2004 Have booked in to an "Evening with Roland Perry" on Wed 1st Sep at the Frankston Arts Centre in Frankston, Victoria, Aus. This is a meeting with the author and according to the blurb is the first really comprehensive biography of Monash and promises to be a fascinating evening. I must say I am looking forward to it as it is not often that anything about WW1 ever gets down my way so will post a report next week. Peter Hi Peter I don't know if Geoffrey Searle and PA Pedersen would agree with the statement of it being 'the first really comprehensive biography of Monash'. Both authors mentioned have done very extensive works on Monash. Pedesen's 'Monash as Military Commander' is a very good work. Will be interested to hear your feedback from that event. Cheers Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Beckett Posted 24 August , 2004 Author Share Posted 24 August , 2004 Well, they won't tell me why but just got a phone call to say the night has been cancelled. I get my money back. Big deal! I was all primed up to ask some probing questions. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward_N_Kelly Posted 20 September , 2004 Share Posted 20 September , 2004 Spiel in today's Australian by Perry comparing Monash and "The Don". If this is any indication I too cannot hold out much hope for the book. Cheers Edward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Beckett Posted 20 September , 2004 Author Share Posted 20 September , 2004 Sorry, I forgot to post the reason the evening was cancelled. When I asked as I got my $10 back - not enough interest shown Edward, I will have to see if I can get a copy as I dont remember reading about the Don in the trenches or Sir John playing test cricket. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 20 September , 2004 Share Posted 20 September , 2004 I dont remember reading about the Don in the trenches or Sir John playing test cricket. Peter, Many thanks: I laughed out loud when I read that I have Sir John’s interests as chess, gardening, opera, painting and astronomy, but like you, I could find no reference to the noble game of cricket Is there any evidence that he was in the stands at Shell Green for that famous one day match in 1915? Best regards Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 20 September , 2004 Share Posted 20 September , 2004 If nothing else describing Monash as 'the outsider who won the war' should ensure a few visitors to your mailing. I assume it was a koke? Regards David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward_N_Kelly Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 Sorry, I forgot to post the reason the evening was cancelled. When I asked as I got my $10 back - not enough interest shown Edward, I will have to see if I can get a copy as I dont remember reading about the Don in the trenches or Sir John playing test cricket. Peter Looked at both as "outsiders". "The Don" was the nearest thing to a professional without being one, was not the most comradely of people to those around him and was dedicated to winning the game. Can scan/post the article if you request though for copyright reasons best done "back-channel" - put a note in my mailbox if interested. Cheers Edward PS Both of course had service but "The Don" was very quickly invalided out of service in WW2 due to a back complaint (and he was of more value propaganda wise). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 Edward, I found the article on-line and it should still be available for a few more days http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...55E7583,00.html It’s more than my poor English life is worth for me to comment on The Don However, I am a fan of Sir John Monash and dare I say that this seems to go a little over the top? Regards Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward_N_Kelly Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 Edward, I found the article on-line and it should still be available for a few more days http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/commo...55E7583,00.html It’s more than my poor English life is worth for me to comment on The Don However, I am a fan of Sir John Monash and dare I say that this seems to go a little over the top? Regards Michael D.R. Thanks - that was the one. Yes it appears a tad over the top - so as I said I don't expect much. Gen Cosgrove almost must have been paid to launch it ! On the other hand, he has suffered a little in the press recently over recent events (and other things that occurred prior to his reign) so perhaps he wanted to get amongst his "admirers" (though most would have been journos and “hangers-on”)…. Cheers Edward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 21 September , 2004 Share Posted 21 September , 2004 he has suffered a little in the press recently over recent events (and other things that occurred prior to his reign) so perhaps he wanted to get amongst his "admirers" (though most would have been journos and “hangers-on”)…. Edward, re Gen Cosgrove: I remember my family in Oz telling me that he got into trouble with some vets when, at his leadership seminar for Waugh’s men prior to their visit to Gallipoli in 2001, he distributed slouch hats to the team. Apparently the Vets’ comments were along the lines of - ‘I don’t care who you are mate, There’s only one way to earn that hat!’ Regards Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward_N_Kelly Posted 23 September , 2004 Share Posted 23 September , 2004 he has suffered a little in the press recently over recent events (and other things that occurred prior to his reign) so perhaps he wanted to get amongst his "admirers" (though most would have been journos and “hangers-on”)…. Edward, re Gen Cosgrove: I remember my family in Oz telling me that he got into trouble with some vets when, at his leadership seminar for Waugh’s men prior to their visit to Gallipoli in 2001, he distributed slouch hats to the team. Apparently the Vets’ comments were along the lines of - ‘I don’t care who you are mate, There’s only one way to earn that hat!’ Regards Michael D.R. Yes - and it took me 27 years of service in the Army of the Glorious Oz to work out that I think I reasonable claim to be able to wear one..... Cheers Edward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonza Posted 23 September , 2004 Share Posted 23 September , 2004 And there's a Slouch Hat connection here in that Monash decreed that his Division had to wear their hats "turned all down". Peter maintains the tradition, at least on most occasions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward_N_Kelly Posted 24 September , 2004 Share Posted 24 September , 2004 And there's a Slouch Hat connection here in that Monash decreed that his Division had to wear their hats "turned all down". Peter maintains the tradition, at least on most occasions. And it is such a horrible sight when it is wore with the brim starched flat (and worn horizontal to the ground). Looks more like a "lemon squeezer".... Needs to be worn with a bit of a rake ("two fingers above right eye and four fingers above left ear") when the side is turned up. If the hat is to be worn with side turned down then the brim needs to be contoured a little so the front and rear of the brim are pulled lower (almost "dished"). Generally speaking "makes 'em look like Aussies"! Cheers Edward PS at least wearing the slouch hat gets rid of those awful berets (not many can wear them successfully) except for those "turret heads" (may have a reason I suppose) and the "meat heads" (so you use it as a target!) PPS and I have me commission ! So now I can sleep in when them damn pipes rouse the troops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonza Posted 24 September , 2004 Share Posted 24 September , 2004 Don't know if this is really appropriate. But its apparently how the world 'sees' OZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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